East Lansing Public Library

The East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) is a public library located in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1923, the library serves the East Lansing community from its Mid-century modern building on Abbot Road, north of the Michigan State University campus. The library celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. History Early years The East Lansing Public Library originated in 1923 when the Child Conservation League (later known as the East Lansing Child Study Club) sought to provide books for children at the Bailey School. The women of the organization raised an initial fund of $26 through a community dance and obtained two boxes of books on loan from the Library of Michigan. The library was first housed in Peoples Church on East Grand River Avenue. In the early years, funding came entirely from the Child Study Club, whose members raised money through bake sales, dances, and selling vanilla extract and spices. At the dedication of Michigan State College's new stadium in October 1924, they raised $145 by serving hot lunches. A community "tag sale" in September 1926 brought over $1,600 in donations, providing the library with its first substantial fund. The growing library moved several times: to quarters above the East Lansing State Bank in 1925, to the newly constructed Peoples Church building in 1926, and to an addition built onto City Hall in 1931. In 1928, the City of East Lansing made its first appropriation of $1,500 for the library, allowing the hiring of the first professional librarian at a salary of $41.67 per month. Current building In 1961, East Lansing voters approved a bond issue to fund construction of a new library building. The Lansing Board of Education deeded property on Abbot Road to the city that same year. The local architectural firm of Manson, Jackson and Kane designed the new 12,000 square foot facility, which was dedicated on April 21, 1963. In 1975, voters approved a $550,000 bond issue to finance a 9,000 square foot expansion. The addition, also designed by Manson, Jackson and Kane, provided space for children's programs, enlarged staff workspace, and a new community meeting room. A further renovation in 1995–1998, funded by a $2 million bond approved by voters, completely renovated the interior and updated mechanical systems. Architecture The library building is an example of Mid-century modern architecture. The structure is raised on a platform several feet above the adjacent parking area, with a long brick retaining wall dividing the site. The main entrance features a two-story, limestone-clad entry bay recessed beneath a dramatic saw-tooth, metal-panel roof. Clerestory windows beneath the roof admit natural light and create the impression that the roof is floating. A patterned metal screen shields the two-story aluminum window wall from direct sunlight. The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office has recognized the building as part of the Michigan Modern project, which documents Mid-century modern architecture in the state. The library's design has been compared to Marcel Breuer's Grosse Pointe Public Library, built ten years earlier. Art The library's foyer features the Michigan Folklore Mural, painted by East Lansing artist and illustrator Dirk Gringhuis in 1963. The mural depicts various folkloric characters including Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe. Gringhuis, who received training at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, wrote and illustrated numerous books on Michigan history. The library grounds feature outdoor sculptures, including "Who's Watching Whom" by Jane DeDecker and "Seated Girl" by Nancy Leiserowitz. In 2022, a new exterior mural by artist Dustin Hunt was unveiled on the Maker Studio wall, depicting East Lansing's civil rights history. Services The library offers a Maker Studio where patrons can use equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and sewing machines. Other services include a local history room, children's programming, book groups, and digital resources. See also East Lansing, Michigan Michigan State University References External links Official website